Concessionary Travel for Disabled People

If you have a disability, you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area.

You can access this via the National Entitlement Card, your pass to free bus travel in Scotland.

Eligibility and concessions

The scheme provides free travel on registered local and long-distance bus services throughout Scotland, at any time of day for any number of journeys, for eligible disabled people who live in Scotland.

The card also allows people who live in the area covered by Strathclyde's Concessionary Travel Scheme (which includes Argyll & Bute), to get cheaper fares on First ScotRail trains and the Glasgow Subway within the area covered by the Strathclyde Scheme. 

Concessionary travel is also available on local ferries for anyone who lives on an island or peninsula and meets the qualifying criteria.

You can apply for a National Entitlement Card if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • In receipt of Personal Independence Payment
  • In receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
  • In receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
  • In receipt of the higher or middle rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
  • In receipt of the Pension Age Disability Payment
  • In receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
  • In receipt of the higher/middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • In receipt of Attendance Allowance
  • Resident in a care or residential home or hospital and require 24 hour supervision
  • Holder of a Disabled Persons Parking Badge (Blue Badge)
  • Are profoundly or severely deaf
  • Unable to drive on medical grounds
  • Suffer from a mental illness, learning disability or personality disorder
  • Terminally ill
  • Suffer from a progressively degenerative disorder
  • Have suffered a loss of limbs
  • Visually impaired
  • Seriously injured veteran with mobility problems

Find out more about eligibility here.

Companion Entitlement

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions where required by eligible disabled people of any age (including children under 5).

If your mobility is such that you require to be accompanied when travelling, you can apply for a National Entitlement Card containing the companion entitlement (C+1) to allow a companion to travel free of charge with you for the same journey by bus.

Your companion is entitled to travel for free if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, or Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance
  • You receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • You receive the standard or enhanced rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
  • You receive Attendance Allowance
  • You are registered as severely sight impaired (blind)
  • You receive war pensions constant attendance allowance.

You will be required to provide a copy of an award notice from the Department of Work and Pensions dated within the last 12 months or a copy of your blind registration certificate.

Your companion can vary from journey to journey and you may travel with or without a companion. Your companion must travel with you and may not travel without the cardholder. If your companion wishes to remain on the bus after you (the cardholder) has left then they will be required to pay the appropriate fare to the driver.

There is no need for you to be accompanied on all bus journeys you make as you have the choice of whether to travel alone or have someone travel with you.  Your companion must be over the age of 5 years.

How to apply

Eligible disabled people can apply for a new National Entitlement Card either

  • online using the GetYourNec
  • download an application form and email to freebus@spt.co.uk or post to Concessionary Travel Card Unit, Buchanan Bus Station, 10 Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW.  For more information contact 0141 3333 211 or visit their website - SPT.

I need an NCT002 form

The NCT002 is available from your local Social Work Department.  This must be completed before you submit your application.

Phone: 01546 605517
Email: Contact us using our enquiry form.

Replacement cards

If your card has been lost, stolen or damaged you can request a replacement by choosing one of the following options

Update your details

To update your photo or renew your card, you can choosing one of the following options

Further information

For further details of the scheme please refer to the SPT and Transport Scotland websites.

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